Barcelona, Spain is considered the capital of Catalonia—a culturally autonomous region, notable for its desire to become a separate nation. The origins of this unique identity can best be understood through the Annales School assertion that earliest histories are formative of culture. The story of Giufré el Pílos (Wilfred the Hairy) is the most influential of early Catalonian histories, and presents the Catalonian values of bravery, social order, and national autonomy. The durability of this story serves as a testament to its importance; its plot and its values have been repackaged over the ages, serving as an argument for a separate Catalonian nation. The story of Wilfred the Hairy is comprised of both factual and fictitious information.
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The autonomy encouraged by the legend has become internalized in the Catalonian mindset. Numerous times, it has invoked its European heritage by denying its connection to Spain—first, in 1641, it placed itself under French lordship as a means of separating itself from Castile; second, it affirmed this notion when it was annexed to France by Napoleon in 1810, under the precedent of Charlemagne’s prior rule. Apart from this autonomous mindset, the story has manifested itself in numerous cultural artifacts that perpetuate Catalonian culture. A sixteenth century painting depicts Louis the Pious marking Wilfred’s shield with blood, while fourteenth century art in the Sant Iu cathedral of Barcelona depicts Wilfred killing a dragon—referencing another myth in which the Saracens attempted to intimidate Barcelona with a dragon from Africa. One of the most powerful icons of Catalonian autonomy, apart from its language, arguably stems from the values of this story as well. The Sardana is a traditional Catalonian dance, which emerged in the nineteenth century. One of the most striking values that it perpetuates is the idea of “national identity as an achieved rather than ascribed status”—a value connecting directly to the legend of Wilfred the Hairy. It seems plausible that this dance sought …show more content…
In his work, Medievalist Survivals in Modern Catalan Literature, Historian Josep Miguel Sobrer analyzes Medieval roots in the Renaissance movement, noting the likelihood that it was comprised of a “cultural re-packaging of old themes”. In fact, when analyzing these works, the similarities in their themes to those of the legend of William the Hairy are undeniable. In Cánigo, a Catalonian Renaissance epic poem, Jacint Verdaguer pays homeage to the Christian origins of Catalonia, while creating a powerful nationalist icon out of the Cánigo mountain range, with the message that “Catalonia is greater than the borders in which the modern Spanish and French states have confined it”. While the poem may not directly cite achievements of William the Hairy, the legend’s themes endure—an appreciation for the Carolingian foundation of Christianity in the Spanish March, a regional sentiment of autonomy, and a realization that bravery and force must be enacted to regain Catalonian culture. In fact, nationalist celebrations during Verdaguer’s time directly linked “Wilfred the Hairy...to the rebirth of Christianity as the Muslims were expelled”. The story of Wilfed the Hairy was never forgotten; while new stories emerged, its values were transposed, and used to
The autonomy encouraged by the legend has become internalized in the Catalonian mindset. Numerous times, it has invoked its European heritage by denying its connection to Spain—first, in 1641, it placed itself under French lordship as a means of separating itself from Castile; second, it affirmed this notion when it was annexed to France by Napoleon in 1810, under the precedent of Charlemagne’s prior rule. Apart from this autonomous mindset, the story has manifested itself in numerous cultural artifacts that perpetuate Catalonian culture. A sixteenth century painting depicts Louis the Pious marking Wilfred’s shield with blood, while fourteenth century art in the Sant Iu cathedral of Barcelona depicts Wilfred killing a dragon—referencing another myth in which the Saracens attempted to intimidate Barcelona with a dragon from Africa. One of the most powerful icons of Catalonian autonomy, apart from its language, arguably stems from the values of this story as well. The Sardana is a traditional Catalonian dance, which emerged in the nineteenth century. One of the most striking values that it perpetuates is the idea of “national identity as an achieved rather than ascribed status”—a value connecting directly to the legend of Wilfred the Hairy. It seems plausible that this dance sought …show more content…
In his work, Medievalist Survivals in Modern Catalan Literature, Historian Josep Miguel Sobrer analyzes Medieval roots in the Renaissance movement, noting the likelihood that it was comprised of a “cultural re-packaging of old themes”. In fact, when analyzing these works, the similarities in their themes to those of the legend of William the Hairy are undeniable. In Cánigo, a Catalonian Renaissance epic poem, Jacint Verdaguer pays homeage to the Christian origins of Catalonia, while creating a powerful nationalist icon out of the Cánigo mountain range, with the message that “Catalonia is greater than the borders in which the modern Spanish and French states have confined it”. While the poem may not directly cite achievements of William the Hairy, the legend’s themes endure—an appreciation for the Carolingian foundation of Christianity in the Spanish March, a regional sentiment of autonomy, and a realization that bravery and force must be enacted to regain Catalonian culture. In fact, nationalist celebrations during Verdaguer’s time directly linked “Wilfred the Hairy...to the rebirth of Christianity as the Muslims were expelled”. The story of Wilfed the Hairy was never forgotten; while new stories emerged, its values were transposed, and used to